Gene Hackman may be the wrong side of 70, but the Hollywood hard man is still not someone to be messed with.

The double Oscar-winner retains the hint of danger that has characterised his 40-year career. The ex-marine can also give as good as he gets.

Following a minor traffic accident, the star of The French Connection got out to apologise for bumping a car. The next minute, he was in a street brawl.

"These two pretty good-sized guys were being really intimidating. I got a couple of good shots in then this other guy jumped on me and we had this ugly wrestling match on the ground." No charges were brought and he wishes the incident would be forgotten.

It hasn't done any harm to the crusty actor's profile, nor the prospects of Behind Enemy Lines, his new war film set in Bosnia. From a publicist's point of view, the timing was opportune.

Hackman plays the commander of an aircraft carrier who defies NATO protocol to rescue a downed pilot.

Since September 11, Hollywood has wondered what to do with military- themed films, such as this and the soon-to-be released Black Hawk Down, based on the 1993 intervention in Somalia. The date of Behind Enemy Lines was brought forward, its patriotic triumphalism now in vogue in America. While not involved in the decision, Hackman understands it.

"From what I understand, people like it and like it at this time. It exemplifies the best of American films in terms of the military." He says the real war in Afghanistan is another matter. "I don't see how anybody could feel good about us being in this war, but I suppose it's something that had to be done."

He earned his spurs as the tough American in films like A Bridge Too Far and Uncommon Valor. As a teenager he spent three years in the marines. "These kinds of military characters choose me, really," he says. "I did a few of those roles; it's hard to break out of that mould once you're in."

Other recent roles break from the military theme. He stars as a jewel thief in David Mamet's Heist and in The Royal Tenenbaums plays a flawed patriarch. This film reflects his own difficult background. He was 12 when his father left and he and his mother moved a lot. He sees parts of himself in his character. "There are areas in me that are insensitive and selfish. As an actor I find ways to exploit that."

Gene, 71, likes to keep his private life private. He lives quietly in New Mexico, with second wife Betsy and has three children from a previous marriage. He wants to slow down and spend more time painting and scuba diving. Doing three films in the past year is his idea of easing up: "I still have that thing in me from the early days when you couldn't get a job and you take everything that's offered."